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Professional carpet cleaning services offer the best of both worlds

removing the most amount of soil while minimising the amount of damage to the floor cover. Experts in the field have the knowledge, expertise and the training needed to obtain the desired results. There are facilities and agencies that provide accreditation and training to individuals looking to get into the field. In Australia, the Australian Cleaning and Restoration Industry recognizes Jena Dyco and IIRC as one of the most reputable training institutions. Individuals who complete their courses in the training facility will be able to identify carpet types and determine the most appropriate method for cleaning and removing stains. When looking for a carpet cleaner, instead of simply asking about their techniques and their rates, you should inquire about their training, expertise and tools. These three factors can influence the results and affect how well your chosen carpet cleaner can do his job.

Choosing the right method

There is no single method that could be used to clean all types of carpets. Each carpet cleaning job poses a unique challenge and professional cleaners are trained to analyze the situation and determine the most effective cleaning technique to handle the task. During the consultation phase, professional cleaners typically ask a long list of questions. The answers they get from potential clients will help them determine how much work is involved and the cost. Prior to setting up their equipment, cleaners normally inspect the area. The inspection process will give them a better idea of the carpet type, how it was made, level of wear and the amount of dirt that needs to be removed. This process will help cleaners determine the best way for cleaning the carpet. There are five methods that cleaners use to clean carpets while preventing damage to the carpet.
1. Removal of dry soil
A vacuum cleaner is a basic tool used in carpet cleaning and maintaining its condition. Grooming rakes can be used to lift flattened or crushed pile areas before using a vacuum cleaner. This will help remove more soil on the carpet. When using a vacuum, remember the following tips:
• Check the collection chamber to ensure it is not full before using.
• There is no obstruction and the air is free to move.
• Have your vacuum cleaner serviced every 6 to 12 months to ensure that the drive belt is working properly.
• Make sure that the beater brush is functioning.

2. Soil suspension
By weakening the link between the rug and the soil, this carpet cleaning method is used to remove dirt that the vacuum cannot remove. There are four aspects needed to reach this goal:

Chemical reaction: This occurs after using a pre-spray. A biodegradable detergent is often used. Professional carpet cleaners will know which products and methods will work well with each type of material. Attached labels will help carpet cleaners determine how much of the product to use.

Heat/temperature: Usually, the more heat is involved, the more effective the spray is in cleaning the surface. A higher temperature activates the pre-spray’s cleaning properties and making it more efficient. Less fluid means less residue gets left behind. Only experts can determine how much fluid should be used without damaging the fiber or the carpet’s dye.

Agitation: This technique involves using a tool such as a brush, water pressure or a motor-powered rotary. The process makes it easier to disperse the cleaner evenly and remove the soil from the fibre. This is especially effective in cleaning heavily soiled carpets.

Time: It takes time before the chemicals can become effective. The soil suspension needs to settle in to the carpet fibres.

3. Suspended Soil Removal
This stage of the carpet cleaning process involves removing the suspended soils. Hot water extraction is considered the most common practice. Other techniques include:

• The bonnet method which involves using an absorbent pad or a compound which absorbs the suspended soils.
• Using carpet shampoo to remove the soil via wet vacuuming.
• Flushing the soil away using the immersion technique.
• A dry or foamy substance may be used to absorb the soil which is then removed using a vacuum
4. Pile Grooming/Setting

This stage speeds up the drying process. With this process, the condition of the carpet fibres are preserved. Grooming also helps protect and deodorize the fabric. Plus, it helps the fluid evaporate faster.

5. Drying
Professional carpet cleaners look for ways to further minimise the drying time. A carpet that takes too long to dry poses a number of issues. For one, customers find it inconvenient to wait for hours for the carpet to dry. A wet carpet is also likelier to collect dirt. Plus, moving between wet surfaces raises the chances of slips or falls to occur. Moulds, smells and stains are also major concerns.

To speed up drying times, the following strategies may be employed:
• Check to see that all carpet cleaning tools are functioning.
• Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation passing through the area.
• Make sure that enough dry passes are performed to remove as much liquid as possible
• Use hot water to speed up the evapouration process
• Utilize air movers and similar drying tools.

These are only a few possible drying techniques that cleaners will use

How much time does it take for carpets to dry?
An expert cleaner will find ways to shorten drying times. However, several factors can affect drying times. These factors include the existing environmental conditions, amount of ventilation available, fibre type, density of the pile, severity of the dirt accumulation and how long it takes to apply deodourants and fibre protectors. The cleaner’s expertise, the methods and tools he uses are other important factors as well. As a guide, hot water extraction normally takes 4-5 hours to dry, the bonnet method takes an hour or two while the effects of dry compound cleaning are instant. Taking these figures into account, a carpet should only take a few hours to dry.

Where can I find companies offering professional carpet cleaning services?
With this information, you now know how to find a professional cleaner. Professional cleaners typically indicate their qualifications on their website. Showing their IICRC data indicates the company is certified. If not indicated online, ask for the cleaner’s IICRC cards. Visit the IICRC website for more information on available cleaners in the area. If in doubt, ask questions to learn more about the cleaner’s qualifications.